Trust Me? The Trust Me? Trilogy (6 page)

OMG! She looks so beautiful. Tell her good luck from me
.

“What a sweetheart.”

“I know, right?”

I take a final look in the mirror. Even I think I look good.
I look at the time, five twenty.

“Right, ten minutes. Last minute checks. Teeth?” I smile, showing my teeth. “Check. Handbag?” I hold it up in my hand. “Check. Shoes?” I
look down.

“Oh crap, what shoes should I wear?”

“I can’t believe we didn’t check your feet.”

I start to worry, but Sarah soon puts that to rest.

“How about my black heels? They are low and have little
bling buckles. They’ll match your headband and belt.”

I look at her. “Is that a bit too much bling?”

“There is no such thing as too much bling.”

I laugh as she goes to her room to retrieve her shoes.

I step into them as I hold her arm. They are a little higher than I’m used to. I walk around the bedroom trying to get used to them. Sarah watches me intently.

“You’ll be fine. You’re having dinner, so you will be
sitting at a table, not standing.”

“They do look amazing.” The doorbell chimes. “
Oh my god,
” I whisper.

“You look perfect.”

“I don’t think I can do this.” I start to fan myself with my
hands. I feel hot.

“Yes, you can. You’re a strong, passionate, beautiful young woman. I’m certain you can handle something as simple as a date.”

I take in a breath. “Should I answer the door or should
you?”

“I’ll answer the door and say, ‘she’ll be right with you.’ Then you can walk down the hallway, making a grand entrance. He’ll be like ‘oh my god, she’s stunning’
,
and then he will sweep you off your feet and
kiss you,” she says excitedly.

“Okaaay, I’m answering door then.”

She frowns. “My idea is better!”

I laugh, walking to the front door, closely stalked by
Sarah. As I get to the front door I turn around. “Well?”

She looks at me in all seriousness and says, “Amazing.”

I exhale, turn, and open the front door. Standing in the doorway is the chauffeur from this afternoon.

“Oh,” Sarah says with disappointment, staring at the middle-aged man with a brownish-gray beard. He’s dressed in a suit, wearing the same hat as earlier.

“Is that him?” she whispers. I let out a small laugh that
almost sounds like a snort and shake my head subtly.

“Hello, Miss Taylor. My name is Mike. I’ll be your chauffeur for this evening.”

“Ooh,” Sarah exclaims loudly.

“Hi, Mike. Um, is Aiden here?”

“Mr. O’Connell is waiting for us at our destination.”

“Damn,” Sarah says, sounding disappointed. I know she wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Mike gestures toward the car. Sarah and I
both follow him to the driveway to see a pink Cadillac.

“Oh my god,” Sarah squeals like a child. Then I remember my message to Aiden,
You can pick me up in a Cadillac
and his response,
I
hope you like pink
. Now it makes sense. I can’t believe he took what I said seriously. Mike walks to the car, opens the rear passenger door, and gestures for me to get in. Sarah gives me a big hug before I get into the car.

“Have a great time, and remember...”

We both say in unison, “Play it cool.”

“I will. Thanks, Sarah, love you.”

“Love you too. Now go get yourself some testosterone-filled eye candy.”

I laugh and get into the car. Sarah is standing in the middle of the driveway, waving and watching as the Cadillac exits and pulls into the traffic.

I start to wonder why Aiden didn’t come to pick me up personally. I quickly remove that thought from my mind. I feel myself starting
to get angry. After all, this is the second time today he has not shown up. “Hey, Mike? Where are we going?” He looks into the rearview mirror.

“Mr. O’Connell said to tell you it’s a surprise, Miss Taylor,” he politely replies.

I huff. “I thought the Cadillac was my surprise.”

“Just one of them, Miss Taylor.”

I sit back, confused. “Just one of them? How many has he got planned?”

“Of that, I am unsure, Miss Taylor.”

“Hey, Mike?”

“Yes, Miss Taylor?”

“Please, call me Jeni.”

He looks at me in the rearview mirror. “Yes, ma’am.” I let
out a small laugh at his reply. I think he’s spent most of his life speaking to people formally, but I don’t want him speaking to me that way. I see him as my equal and definitely not below me. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no need for Miss Taylor or ma’am. I’m just Jeni.

* * *

We pull into the botanical park. Mike drives up the long, winding road where visitors are watching and pointing at the car as we drive past. I shuffle down in my seat, feeling self-conscious. Finally, we pull up. I
sit and take in the view. It’s all very lush and beautiful. I see a cobblestone path with greenery engulfing its surroundings, but I can’t see Aiden anywhere. Mike gets out of the car and opens up the door for me.

“Miss... I mean Jeni. Mr. O’Connell is at the end of the
path waiting for you.”

I take his hand and step out of the car onto the cobblestone path. “Thank you. Do I look okay?”

“Very lovely, miss, um ... Jeni.”

I let out a small giggle. “Thanks, Mike.” I take in a deep breath and start down the path. I turn back and look at Mike. “Aren’t you coming?”

He smiles, shaking his head. “No. It’s a party for two, Miss
Taylor ... sorry, Jeni,” he says.

I take a step back toward Mike and hug him. He’s quite tense but eventually succumbs to the hug and pats me on the back softly. I laugh. “Have a good night, Mike.”

“You too, Jeni,” he says, tipping his hat at me.

I take another deep breath and start my trek down the path. Sarah’s shoes make it difficult to walk, but I manage somehow. I walk along the path, putting my hand out to touch the ferns on the side of the hill. Glimpses
of sunshine glimmer through the lush treetops. The smell of greenery is all encompassing. There is a sound in the distance of water gushing. “Must be a river,” I say to myself. The path takes a turn ahead, and I wonder what will be
around the corner. I slowly walk, taking in the perfume and soaking up the fading sun. For just one moment, I forget why I’m here and feel the serenity and outstanding beauty that surrounds me. I turn the corner, still in a daze, looking at the splendor around me. Then I see him. He’s standing on a deck
that’s set over a pond, and he’s gazing at a striking waterfall in the background. On the deck there is a table set for two. A small vase of flowers sits in the center. Two single candles sit on either side of the flowers, lit
and flickering in the mild breeze. I inhale at the sight. Those horrid butterflies flutter around in my stomach with a vengeance.

I don’t want to disturb him, as he seems far away in his thoughts. I try to make my way silently to the table, but my heel gets caught
in between two stones. I try to pull it out, and the commotion causes Aiden to turn around. His eyes meet mine, and a beaming smile crosses his face. He’s wearing suit pants, a light blue pinstriped shirt and a suit jacket, no tie. I
act cool and slowly pull the shoe out of the stones, using some force. My shoe comes free suddenly, making me stumble and fall onto the deck. My clutch falls, opens up, and my things fly out everywhere.

“Oh my god,” I mutter under my breath. Next thing I know
Aiden is helping me up.

“Jeni, are you okay?”

I stand up and look at him. “I’m falling for you already.”

His face lights up, and he shows me those perfect pearly
whites.

I dust myself off and say, “How embarrassing!”

“Here, let me help you,” he says, gesturing to my clutch and its contents. I pick up my clutch and lip-gloss, and he picks up my cell phone.
He clears his throat as he picks up a couple of condoms. My face goes bright red as a smirk crosses his.

“I
didn’t
put those in my bag. It must have been my housemate, Sarah. She plays tricks on me like this
all
the time. Not
that I go out on dates all the time or anything. I mean, not that I
don’t
go on dates. I date. Just not often, and I definitely wouldn’t be using those tonight anyway. I mean this is our first date. What do you think I am? I’m not
that kind of—”

“It’s fine, Jeni,” he interjects with a giant smile on his face. I suck in a deep breath and take the cell phone and condoms from him and put them back into my clutch. I make a mental note.
I’m going to kill Sarah
when I get home.
He leads me over to the railing at the edge of the deck.

I lean on the railing and look out to the magnificent waterfall.

“It’s so beautiful,” I say as he tucks a piece of hair
behind my ear.

“Sure is,” he says, staring straight at me, making me blush. I look down at the pond, smiling. “Shall we have a seat?” he asks.

I nod, still embarrassed. I turn around, and he places his
hand on my lower back and leads me to the table. He pulls out my chair and pushes it back in when I sit.

“Such a gentleman,” I say to him. He takes a seat. My butterflies are wreaking havoc again, and I start to feel a bit nauseous. I
take a sip of my sparkling water.
Ah, that helps.

“So, Moronic Smart-ass Man, what’s for dinner?”

He smirks at me. “Whatever you want, the chef will cook for us.”

I look at him, surprised. “But isn’t there a set menu or
something?”

“Not tonight. Tonight it’s whatever you feel like. Pasta, steak, perhaps seafood?”

I look at him, confused. “Wow, you really do feel guilty,” I
say under my breath. I look down to my hands in my lap.

He looks at me with a confused look on his face. “Guilty?”

I look up at him. “For crashing into me,” I say shyly.

“Is that what you think? That I feel guilty?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “Maybe?” I say unconvincingly, shrugging.

He tilts his head slightly. “I don’t feel guilty for crashing into you. In fact, I think it might be one of the best things I’ve
ever done.”

My mouth drops with the shock. “Crashing into someone is the best thing you’ve ever done?” I ask, feeling agitated.

“No crashing into
you
is the best thing I’ve ever
done.”

“Huh? How can crashing into me be the best thing? I mean what if I was hurt or something?”

He scratches his head. “Crashing into you is the best thing I’ve ever done because I got to meet you. But I’m very grateful you weren’t
hurt.”

I sit back in my chair, contemplating what he said. “Oh, but you don’t even know me.”

“True, but I’d like to get to know you. If you’ll let me,” he says, smiling warily.

I can’t help but smile back at him.

He sighs with relief and sits back in his chair, relaxed.

“Tell me more about your job,” I say. I see him hesitate. I begin to think that talking about his work makes him uncomfortable.

“I work with my father and sister, as you know, and basically, there’s not much else to say. I assist people with their investments and help strategize ideas for them to make more money in their businesses.”

I nod, pretending to know how all that works.

“Do you like your job?”

“Yep, love it! My bosses are great; they’re like my surrogate family.”

“Surrogate family? You don’t have a family?”

“Yes, but it’s really just me and Mom.”

“You’re an only child?”

“Yup,” I say matter-of-factly.

He nods along, seeming interested. “Have you thought what
you might like for dinner?”

“I, um, I don’t know.” I laugh. “How about gnocchi with rosé sauce, broccoli, bacon, mushrooms, and semi-dried tomatoes?”

He looks at me, surprised. “Sounds good to me.” He pushes a
button that’s sitting on the table.

I look at him curiously.

“It lets the staff know we are ready to order.”

I widen my eyes. “Wow,” I mutter.

“Yeah, I’m all about the high tech,” he says jokingly.

A waitress comes down the path with an electronic gadget in her hands. She’s dressed in black pants, a white top, black bow tie, and a black half-apron tied around her waist. Her blonde hair is in a short ponytail
with a black ribbon tightly wrapped into a bow. She looks at Aiden with a smile.

“What would you like to order tonight, sir?” She blushes as she talks to him. He looks directly at me the entire time, not noticing the
waitress swooning over him.

“We’ll have two servings of gnocchi with rosé sauce, broccoli, bacon, mushrooms, and semi-dried tomatoes and an order of garlic bread. Thanks.” He smiles at me and winks. I blush. The waitress adds it into
the electronic gadget. She leans over so she’s closer to Aiden.

“Any drinks, sir?” Aiden finally notices her advances and lets out a small laugh. She backs off.

“Jeni?” he asks.

“I’ll have a Pink Moscato, thank you.”

“I’ll have a Macallan whisky, thank you.” The waitress notes our drink orders and heads back.

I lean in toward Aiden. “Awkward much?”

He cracks up laughing. “Tell me about it. Could she have been more obvious?” he asks, making me laugh.

“I think the next step was to actually sit on your lap,” I say. “I bet all the girls swoon over you.”

He raises an eyebrow and looks at me cheekily. “And why would they swoon over me?” he asks with a smirk. I’m sure he knows that this will make me fumble again.

“Oh, um, I don’t know. Maybe because you’re
really
good looking, but don’t get a big head about that or anything.”

He bites his bottom lip and chuckles, shaking his head.

“Hey!” I say slightly louder than normal.

“You’re adorable,” he says with a grin. I look to my hands
in my lap and blush yet again.

“Do you have any other siblings, or is it only you and your sister?” I ask as he looks at me.

“No, I have a brother as well.”

“What child are you? Eldest, middle, or youngest?”

“I’m the eldest then my brother, Blair, and then my sister, Brielle.”

“Wow, they’re such great names.”

The waitress from earlier comes down the path with a serving
of garlic flat bread and places it on the table.

“There you go, sir,” the waitress says. Aiden keeps looking straight ahead at me. “Your dinner will be ready shortly.”

“Thank you,” Aiden says as she walks off. I can’t help but laugh as she leaves.

“I love these flowers.” I point to the vase in the middle of the table; my elbow knocks my fork, flinging it to the ground.

“Oops,” I say as I pull my chair back and bend down to pick
it up. Aiden lets out a small laugh, like I’m amusing him. As I bend down to pick up the fork from the decking, I bang my head on the corner of the table, making it wobble. The vase of flowers tumbles over, causing a small amount of
water to leak all over the crisp white tablecloth.

“Ouch,” I say out loud as I rub the top of my head. Aiden stands up and rushes to my side.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m such a klutz.” I sit back up in my chair, and he squats next to me, holding my hand as I continue to rub my head.

“You sure? Are you feeling dizzy or anything?” he asks with concern.

“I’m fine, thanks. A bit embarrassed, yet again.”

He takes my hand in his and gives it a soft, tender kiss. “You are clumsy, aren’t you?” He stands up and heads back to his chair and sits down.

I can’t help but laugh at him.

“Be careful, Moronic Smart-ass Man. I hope you know how to swim,” I say to him casually as I glance over to the pond.

“Oh really?” He smiles. “If I’m going in the water, so are you,” he says confidently.

“Oh, yeah? I’d like to see you try,” I say as a dare. Next thing I know he has jumped up from his chair, holds me from behind in a bear hug, and is heading to the edge of the deck.

“Oh my god, don’t you dare!” I yell at him, laughing at the
same time. I turn around in his grasp so I am facing him, and I place my arms around his neck. His arms encase my waist, and we stand, our bodies touching ever so slightly, staring deep into each other’s eyes. The chemistry is
electrifying, my butterflies surging back into motion. It feels as though we are staring at each other for the longest time, but of course, it’s only moments. He tilts his head slightly. This is it. This is the moment; he’s going
to kiss me. I lean in a little closer, close my eyes, and...

The waitress clears her throat. I open my eyes to see Aiden glaring at her.

“Sorry to interrupt, sir. Your meals are ready.”

He looks at me apologetically. “Thank you,” he says
politely. She places the meals and drinks on the table. She picks up the flowers and put them back in the vase, unfortunately with no water, and walks away. He leads me over to the table.

The gnocchi is very hot, so we eat the garlic flat bread,
which is now cold. It tastes so amazing, with just the right amount of garlic, butter, and herbs.

“Have you liked your surprises?” he asks.

I look into his eyes, those gorgeous bright blue eyes, and
feel myself becoming intoxicated by him. I quickly snap myself out of it. “Yeah, a pink Cadillac, that was amazing. Oh, and this garden is amazing, and the waterfall is amazing, and this food is amazing. It’s all so... amazing!”

“You’re amazing,” he murmurs under his breath, thinking I can’t hear him. “Glad you approve, but the night is still young,” he says matter-of-factly. I wonder what he means by that, but I don’t answer. I am busy
eating this amazing garlic bread. He continues eating. We both pick up our glasses at the same time. He holds his out to meet mine.